Von hesitated at the gruff response. By the time he turned around, Zev had already dressed. “I can come back another time.”
“Get in the water,” he growled. “Your stench is becoming unbearable. I can hardly smell anything past it.”
Blinking, Von let out a weak laugh. “I suppose I can’t argue with that.”
As he removed his coat and bandoliers, Zev sat on a boulder to put on his boots. Von placed several feet between them before stripping off his clothes and stepping into the chilly stream.
The sensation hit him with memories of a winter night, blazing flames, and screams.
Von’s entire body jolted with the urge to retreat onto dry land. He hated the water now as much as he feared fire. But he forced himself to move towards the middle of the creek and sank beneath the surface. His world darkened. The two gold rings tied to the cord around his neck floated up and glinted against the last of the evening light.
You have always been free, Von.
If so, why did he feel trapped?
The dark ocean held him captive as much as his duty had. Yavi took all the brightness with her.
Von stayed beneath the surface until his lungs burned for air. He merely wanted to feel something. To feel alive. But half of him would have preferred to rot at the bottom and let the fish have him. Standing, he gulped in the airraggedly. He cradled the rings in his palm as water dripped from the wet tangles on his face.
If he had perished with Tarn fifteen years ago, what would have come of Yavi’s life? Von tried to picture it, but all he could see was her tearful smile when he kissed her for the last time.
Zev was still there. Locked in place, his eyes fixed on Von’s back. He was staring at the scars left over after Tarn had whipped him. His brow furrowed. “Why are you here?”
“I have nowhere else to go,” Von answered honestly. Glancing down at his reflection, he didn’t recognize the pale bearded man looking back at him. “I have no other use except to kill and fight. Perhaps Dyna could use that.”
Nodding as if he understood, Zev looked away. “I left you some clothes there,” he murmured, motioning to the folded pile on the boulder. “The other ones need cleaning.”
“I owe you an apology,” Von blurted before he could leave. “For nearly killing you.”
Zev paused for a moment and seemed to find that amusing. “I suppose it was my turn to hear such an apology.” He picked up his pack and headed in the opposite direction of the camp.
“Not staying with the others?”
“No, not tonight.” Zev glanced up at the darkening sky. “Full moon is coming. I can feel it. Best to find a good tree far away from here.”
“Right. I heard you use silver chains.” Von stepped out of the water and began dressing in the offered clothes.
“Aye, I do—” Zev froze, and his eyes widened with horror. He yanked open his pack and stuck his hand inside. His arm flailed around inside wildly, searching for something. “No … no, it can’t be.”
Von frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Zev stared blankly at his bag. “I forgot them.”
“What?”
His clawed hands shook, his chest heaving with ragged breaths, and Von felt his own pulse quicken.
“What did you forget?” But Von could already guess.
“Commander…” Zev’s fangs grew, his claws extending as fur began to sprout on his skin. His frightened yellow eyes stared back at him.“Run.”
CHAPTER 55
Cassiel
Night had fallen. From his perch in a tree, Cassiel overlooked the camp. A squadron of forty Valkyrie were also on watch within the trees. He left the Legion behind in Sellav to keep an eye on Nazar.
The time to deal with Lord Gadriel and Akiel would come later. The only thing to have his attention was pretending he didn’t exist. The opposite of love wasn’t hate. It was indifference.
